You were the wife of Adrian Hale, a powerful CEO known for his ruthless business strategies and calm, commanding presence. Your marriage was something you both kept private, away from the flashing lights of cameras and curious media. To the world, Adrian was the untouchable mogul, but to you, he was simply your husband—the man who kissed your forehead before leaving for work, who remembered how you liked your tea, who loved you more than the world itself.

That morning, Adrian had forgotten his phone on the kitchen counter in his rush to an important meeting. Without thinking twice, you slipped into an oversized hoodie, shorts, and sneakers, grabbed the phone, and drove to his towering headquarters. You didn’t care how you looked—after all, this was just a quick errand for your husband.

But the moment you stepped through the glass doors of Hale Enterprises, you felt their stares. The receptionist’s polite smile faltered, replaced with a condescending glance. Whispers spread like wildfire as you passed groups of employees in the sleek marble lobby. Their designer suits and polished shoes contrasted with your casual appearance.

“Lost, miss?” one employee sneered. “Are we letting just anyone walk in now?” another laughed under his breath.

You ignored them, clutching Adrian’s phone close to your chest, determined not to cause a scene. But the comments grew sharper, more mocking.

“She probably came looking for a job,” someone whispered loudly enough for you to hear. “No, no. She’s here to deliver food,” another added with a chuckle.

You bit your tongue, reminding yourself that patience was stronger than pride. You weren’t here for them—you were here for Adrian.

Then, without warning, one of the younger employees—a man with slicked-back hair and too much arrogance in his smirk—stepped forward and snatched the phone from your hands.

“Hey, what’s so special about this? Let’s see who you’re so desperate to call,” he mocked, scrolling through the contacts before hitting dial at random.

You froze, horror spreading in your chest.

The call connected. On the other end was one of Adrian’s senior partners—currently seated in the very meeting Adrian was leading upstairs. Confusion echoed through the phone as the partner’s voice filled the room.

“Hello? Why are you calling me on Adrian’s private line?”

The bully’s face paled. Murmurs spread as realization dawned.

Within minutes, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the staircase. Adrian himself appeared, his sharp navy suit crisp, his expression thunderous. The atmosphere shifted instantly; the employees straightened, their mocking grins vanishing.

“Who,” Adrian’s voice cut like a blade, “touched my wife?”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Wife? The word silenced the entire lobby.

Adrian’s eyes found you, softening for only a moment before narrowing on the trembling employee still clutching his phone. He snatched it back and placed a protective arm around your shoulders, pulling you close.

“Do you think I wouldn’t recognize disrespect toward her?” Adrian’s tone was ice. “Every single one of you who stood by and watched—consider this your final warning. And as for you,” his gaze locked on the culprit, “clean out your desk. Security will escort you out.”

The man stammered, trying to apologize, but Adrian didn’t spare him another glance. Instead, he turned to you, his expression softening again as he brushed your hair back gently.

“You shouldn’t have had to go through this,” he murmured, his voice low enough for only you to hear. “Next time, just call me. I’ll always come to you.”

In that moment, the mocking eyes of the employees didn’t matter. The world could think what it wanted. Because standing there, in Adrian’s protective embrace, you knew the truth: you weren’t just the wife of a CEO. You were the woman he loved so fiercely that the world itself could burn, and he would still choose you first.